Struggling For Justice Read online

  He was responsible for her.

  "Look at me," he said, directing his order to the woman.

  Her gaze lifted. His chest muscles clenched in frustration over her plight and warmed because she was gorgeous. The mix of emotions wasn't unpleasant, just odd. Her lack of attitude only compounded his mood, because there were times he swore he saw a spark of life behind her eyes before it was gone.

  "Stay with Risa. I'll be back to take you out of here." He lowered his voice, feeling the need to go easy on her. "Okay, lady?"

  She nodded in compliance. He glanced at Risa, because damned if he could understand what was going through the woman's head, and received a tender smile in understanding from Risa.

  He walked away to find Kurt, so he could return to enjoying his only day off this week. The last thing he wanted to do was babysit a lady. There were too many women in the world that weren't taken care of properly, and he preferred the freedom of keeping company with ones who didn't require a lot of maintenance. A few hours of their company, until he had his fill, was more his speed.

  A classy lady needed attention he couldn't afford to give her. Someone always needed to have the woman's back and make sure she was safe and happy. That took time and commitment. The asshole back in town was not the man to give her that.

  He strolled into the weight room downstairs and spotted Kurt punching the speed bag. He walked around until he was on the other side and faced Kurt.

  "I need a second, prez." Remmy leaned against the dumbbell stand.

  Kurt dropped his arms to his side, breathing heavy, and covered in sweat. "What's up?"

  "I laid a man out on his ass in town who was verbally intimidating a woman." Remmy sighed. "I stepped in, but before I could contain the situation, the woman took off running up the on-ramp to get away from him. I ended up putting her on the back of my bike—"

  "Fuck," Kurt muttered.

  Remmy's back stiffened. "Yeah. Not the best decision I've ever made, but it's done. I can't go back and change it."

  "What's the woman saying?" Kurt asked.

  "Not a fuck of a lot." Remmy gritted his teeth before continuing. "I don't step between a man and his woman, but she's broken. She barely speaks and struggles to look me in the eyes. She was also a little too easy to convince to take a ride with me. Any man could lead her around with a firm voice and a stern look, and she needed help."

  "Where is she?" Kurt swept up the towel and mopped his face.

  "Upstairs with Risa," he said.

  Kurt froze, lowering his arms. "Is my woman safe?"

  "Yeah. Risa's okay with her and the guys are upstairs watching them." Remmy straightened and walked to the door. "I'm taking the lady back to town. If everything goes okay, I'll be back in an hour. I plan on trailing her for a few miles on the interstate to make sure the asshole doesn't decide to follow her."

  "Hey." Kurt strode toward him. "Keep your head on. I don't want this to be part of a bigger plan orchestrated by Los Li to get inside Bantorus."

  "Right." Remmy slapped the back of his hand against Kurt's chest. "Your wife wants you upstairs."

  "I bet she does." Kurt's mouth softened. "I'll shower and come up."

  Remmy moved out into the hallway and shut the door. He leaned against the wall. Kurt had a point. After Los Li burnt down the Sterling Building last summer, shot sheriff Colby, kidnapped Risa, and threated to take out the clubhouse—and instead blew up the warehouse, none of them could let their guard down. Bantorus history proved that the women belonging to the members were the most vulnerable. The long line of women scarred and traumatized by Los Li sat on everyone's conscious.

  Maybe that's why the woman upstairs appealed to him. He wanted to save her. She deserved more than being another statistic for domestic abuse. But, he'd never leaned toward having a hero complex before and he wasn't starting today.

  Chapter Two

  Ten bikers, decked out in the same type of attire of black patched vests, well-worn jeans, and black leather boots that the man who'd rode to her rescue wore, gathered near the pool table ogling Natalie as she followed the woman named Risa to the far side of the room. Her legs shook, her heart raced, and she was sure she'd pass out if she didn't sit down soon.

  "Here you go," Risa said, taking one of the chairs at the table. "You can rest while you wait for Remmy."

  Remmy. She'd been too upset over what her former brother in law said to think much of the man who'd violently knocked Will out and gave her an excuse to escape the pressure Will was putting on her. All she wanted to do was get away from Will's anger, not cause any more problems between them. She bowed her head and exhaled. Instead, she'd practically thrown her arms wide open and accepted the welcome reprieve when Remmy demanded she get on his motorcycle.

  He was a biker, and despite what Will wanted her to believe, she wasn't stupid. Remmy wore a club vest with the name Bantorus MC, Federal Charter patch. The numerous black and gray motorcycles outside were a sure sign that the humongous brick building set in the Bitterroot Mountains was used by a biker club.

  If she had to choose between being in Will's company or held hostage by a group of bikers, the bikers would win. She was tired of fighting and standing up for herself when the truth spoke for her. After all these months, she'd hoped Will would ease off her, but he only became more frustrated.

  "Would you like a drink of water or something stronger?" Risa asked.

  She nodded, trying not to stare at the scar running down Risa's cheek. If she ignored the injury, Risa's gorgeous hair and kind eyes reminded Natalie of her third grade teacher, who always had time to listen. "Water would be nice. Thank you."

  Risa motioned at another woman, who wore a pair of skimpy shorts and a bikini top. "Two ice waters, Shari."

  "Sure thing." Shari's heart shaped face broke into a grin before she hurried through a doorway and disappeared.

  Risa leaned forward and propped her elbows on the table. "What's your name, honey?"

  It didn't matter what her name was, because she wasn't staying here. Federal, Idaho had only been a stopping point for her to convince Will she wasn't going back to Montana.

  For the last month, she believed she'd finally get some peace from the stress, and be able to go on with her life. Freedom from the craziness her life had turned into after last summer.

  "Go ahead and make one up if you want." Risa smiled tenderly. "Most of the people here go by a nickname. Nobody will think anything of it if you want to call yourself something different than your real name."

  "Natalie," she said, hoping that would be the end of the interrogation.

  Risa leaned back and Shari put two glasses of water on the table. As soon as the woman left, Natalie grabbed the drink and quenched her thirst. From the moment Remmy confronted Will, she'd known something bad was going to happen. She was good at seeing a lot about a person without even knowing them.

  Remmy believed in right or wrong. That was blatantly clear when he defended her against Will.

  He also had a strong personality and stood up for other people. He wasn't a bully, even though he gave her no choice but to get on his bike and to stay with him.

  His light touch and his strong, formidable body left her wanting to stick beside him, because she'd be safe. Will would have to ease off on getting her to change her mind if someone like Remmy was around.

  That's why she'd gone off with him. Everything in her training told her to fight, but she'd taken her chances, because a hot biker with attitude who went out of his way to help was not going to hurt her. She knew that in her heart.

  Yet, she had to leave and go back to her apartment in Spokane. She set down her glass and dabbed the back of her hand against her lips. After today's latest catastrophe, she'd have to move and call somewhere else home, and hope that Will gave up his delusional desire to right a wrong. She couldn't live like this any longer.

  "Feel better?" Risa asked.

  She nodded, because she was anything but fine. "Yes, thank you again."
>
  "I don't know why you're here, but going by the way Remmy is acting, it looks like whatever happened wasn't good." Risa's eyes softened. "Do you need anything?"

  The air in the room thickened. She unclasped her hands and grabbed the edge of the chair on each side of her. What was it about the people in this town offering to help her? Did desperation show on her face or did they know what she'd gone through?

  One night of hell put her on a downward spiral, and that nightmare happened in Federal, Idaho. Yet, she knew none of these people. She'd kept to herself and no one knew the truth. She'd never told a soul since or before the night everything changed. Only when the secret became too much, she'd tried to tell Will the truth. What a mistake. Now he was determined to make sure someone paid for the crime.

  "I'm fine. Thank you." She caught movement behind Risa and sat up straighter.

  Remmy worked his way across the room to the table, his gaze never leaving her. Her heart raced, and she wanted to blame it on the situation and her frayed nerves. She couldn't look away from his intense expression. She had no idea what he planned to do with her or where he'd take her.

  His shoulder length black hair tinted gray at the temples fanned away from his chiseled face when he walked. The goatee, a little too long to be in style, had more gray than black, but accented full lips that he seemed in the habit of holding too firm, but maybe that was his displeasure over having to help her. She guessed his age at fifty, no higher, because a man with a rock hard body like his meant he still led an active life.

  His black flame tattoos ran down his arms behind his T-shirt. There were hints of ink at the base of his neck, but she couldn't see what they were. Her mouth dry, she swallowed hard. He moved with grace and confidence, unlike...

  She bit down on the lip she was licking. There was no purpose comparing him to anyone else, because she'd never met a biker before. She could only imagine what his lifestyle was like.

  "Let's go," he said, slipping his hand under her arm and guiding her up from the chair.

  Risa grabbed her other hand and squeezed. She returned the gesture, because the touch felt good, even though she wasn't sure where the outreach of friendship and understanding came from or why the other woman thought she needed it.

  At the door, a man covered in tattoos and shirtless under his vest stepped in front her. The man's gaze lowered to Natalie's chest. She stepped back into Remmy.

  The man, probably around thirty years old and sexy in a rough way, ogled her and said, "Need any help, bro?"

  Remmy put Natalie behind him and pushed the man back. "Fuck off, Ink."

  Ink fell back, grinning. She hurried to keep up with Remmy's pace as he took her outside and down the stairs to the gravel lot. At a dark blue truck, he stopped and opened the door. She put her foot up inside the cab and before she could pull herself up, he lifted and sat her on the bench seat.

  He remained in the open door. "Is your car in town?"

  "Um. In the parking lot of the store. I have the keys in my pocket, but I left my purse under the seat," she said, babbling. "I locked the door though."

  Remmy rocked back on his heels and grinned. "You do talk."

  She nodded, relaxing under his friendlier attitude and the thought that in a few minutes she'd be driving out of Federal and forgetting today happened.

  "My name's Natalie," she said, at a loss of what more to say to him.

  In reality, the less he knew about her, the better. The faster she got out of here, the better chance that she'd leave the area without anyone connecting her to the tragedy that happened in Federal last summer.

  She stared at his broad chest. His black T-shirt, that he'd cut the sleeves off of, stretched tight from shoulder to shoulder under his vest. His thick arms held power and she wondered if he'd ever used his size to intimidate a woman. As soon as the thought entered her head, it left. No, a man who stood up for a stranger would never pick on someone weaker. It was her job to be aware of her environment, judge the people she associated with, and plan in case of an emergency. She'd trusted her instincts, and he was a good guy.

  His hand went to the chain dangling from his belt. He pulled out a wallet and extracted money. "I want you to take this. It might be a good idea to grab a hotel room tonight or take the long way back to wherever you're going. You need to stay safe."

  She shook her head. "I'll be all right. I have money."

  That was a lie. She had a thousand dollars to her name, because she'd left her job in Montana and wasn't having any luck starting classes up anywhere else or even finding a building that she could afford to rent in Spokane. All her other money was tied up in a business she didn't want and as of right now, locked tight until the board made their final decision.

  "Don't argue." He folded the bills in half and slid it into her front pocket.

  She sucked in her stomach, but her jeans no longer hugged her body the way they had six months ago and he had no trouble slipping the money to her. "Thank you."

  Remmy tilted his head. "You have a sweet voice, lady. You should use it more often. Not only with me, but others, because what you have to say is important."

  She moistened her lips, self-conscious over the compliment. His advice hit home. She'd given up a long time ago on trying to get others to listen. It was easier to hold everything inside. Besides, what she had to say wasn't important any longer. The subject was dead and buried.

  Remmy closed the door, got in the driver's seat, and drove her back to town without saying another word. At the viaduct, she scanned the street, keeping an eye out for Will. After he'd rudely invaded her apartment and demanded she go back with him to Montana, she'd realized he'd gone too far. She couldn't change his mind. Every time she tried to reason with him, she failed. It took her an hour on the road, driving by herself, to come to the conclusion that she was done trying. She immediately turned off the interstate into Federal and told him she was over trying to help him.

  That's when Remmy punched Will, further cementing in her mind that she'd made the right decision. She was finished.

  Remmy pulled into the parking lot. She pointed at her car. "It's that one."

  The four-door with the dent on the fender from when she'd backed up and hit the garbage can sat where she'd left it. She scanned the whole lot and breathed a little easier. Will's car was long gone.

  Remmy pulled in beside the car. "It doesn't look like you'll be going anywhere."

  "W-what?" She took off her seatbelt, afraid he changed his mind. "I have to go home."

  Remmy cut the engine. "Not with four slashed tires."

  She leaned forward, concluded that he was right, and whispered, "That asshole."

  Anger and frustration boiled inside of her. Every time she turned around, Will became more aggressive in his motive to change her mind. Why couldn't he leave her alone? Hadn't she paid enough?

  "Your man isn't a man, lady," he said softly. "I don't tell people how to run their life, but no man worth his name slashes his woman's tires when he should be doing all he can to take care of her."

  She jerked her gaze to Remmy. "He's not my man."

  Remmy's brows lowered. "He's not your husband or boyfriend?"

  "God, no." She shook her head. "I need...a tire store, to buy new tires."

  "Hold on a fucking second." Remmy shifted in the driver's seat. "If he's not your man, then why in the hell is he bothering you?"

  "It's complicated," she said.

  He growled. "That's what they all say."

  Natalie fumbled with the door handle, opened it, and jumped out of the truck. She dug the keys out of her pocket. At this point, she wasn't sure how things between her and Will escalated to the level of him slashing her tires. He was stubborn, angry, and hurt, but to ruin her personal property? That wasn't like him.

  She opened the door and grabbed her purse underneath the driver's seat. Remmy stood behind her. She couldn't see him, but she felt his presence. How could she not? He was big and formidable. The hardness that h
ad come into his eyes over learning Will wasn't her husband freaked her out.

  She pulled out her phone and pushed the button to wake it up from sleep mode. The screen remained black.

  "Dammit. My phone's dead," she said.

  Remmy pressed his cell into her hand. "Who do you need to call?"

  "Uh..." She thrust her free hand into her hair. "A tow truck. I need new tires or recycled tires if they have them."

  "As long as it's not the asshole you were with," he said.

  She frowned at him. "Of course not."

  "Of course not," he mumbled. "Lady, none of this is making any sense. First you cowered—"

  "That's incorrect." She shook her head. "I was avoiding an altercation, by not answering Will's anger with my own anger."

  Remmy widened his stance. "You ran onto the interstate."

  "The first choice a woman has is to put distance between her and an uncomfortable situation. That's what I was doing." She pointed his cell phone at him. "There are people on the interstate that would notice if something was wrong and hopefully call 911. I was perfectly safe by myself."

  Remmy's brows lowered and his eyes hardened. "You got on the back of my bike because I thought you were a helpless woman in a bad situation. You don't know shit about me or what I could do to you. You weren't safe."

  She glared back. "You could torture me, kill me, rape me, kidnap me, sell me to your biker friends for beer money. But, I knew you wouldn't do any of those things, because you defended me against Will. You also saved me from being run over on the interstate, and when we were at the club, you put me in Risa's care to make sure I was safe and okay. So, don't go all pushy with me and act badass, trying to teach me a lesson I learned a long time ago. I've had more schooling in how shitty life can be than you have, so shut...the fuck up."

  Her breath came fast and harsh and with that emotional outburst, she felt ten times better. She crossed her arms, empowered that she'd won the argument. Not once in the last seven years had she ever spoken to someone with that much passion and unrestraint, because she'd always been afraid of what her anger would do.